“Beneath the Surface,” Untitled No. 1, by art team of Chuck and Peg Hoffman, a piece in a year-long exhibit opening Sept. 4 at the Benedictine Center at St. Paul’s Monastery in Maplewood.

Paintings inspired by a trip to the Holy Land are the initial exhibit of a year-long art series designed to elicit an experience of the presence of God in new ways.

Hosted by the Benedictine Center at St. Paul’s Monastery in Maplewood, the series will include works by local artists who portray spiritual themes, including student artists from neighboring Hill-Murray School.

Opening Sept. 4 and running through Nov. 22 is “Beneath the Surface: Exploring the Layers,” a collection by partner artists Chuck and Peg Hoffman. The works are creations that resulted from the couple’s reflection after they spent time as pilgrims, teachers and learners in Israel and Palestine.

“Beneath the Surface,” Untitled No. 17.

In describing their work in Beneath the Surface, the Hoffmans noted, “Although visually abstract, we often retain faint echoes of symbol and landscape inspired by the colors and layered mark-making we found so prevalent in our pilgrimage. Our abstractions form memories, spiritual reflections and prayers forged in color, shape and form.”

Sam Rahberg, director of the Benedictine Center, said exhibiting works such as those in the new series derives from the Benedictine tradition of supporting artists and encouraging artists to use their talents in service to the community. The exhibit is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We want to help people experience the presence of God,” Rahberg said, “and that’s something that happens through words and visuals and other forms of art.

“We also want to encourage art as spiritual practice,” he added.

“Beneath the Surface,” Untitled No. 4

Viewing art can cultivate people’s own creativity, Rahberg said, and the works in the series demonstrate how the individual artists interpret their own religious experience through their art.

“They model how each of us has the opportunity to do so and gives others the permission to do so as well,” he said.

Following the Hoffmans’ work in the Benedictine Center series will be: